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A total of 7.5% of all European marine fish species are threatened with extinction in European waters, according to the European Red List of Marine Fishes published today by IUCN and the European Commission. While some species are recovering, marine management has been less successful for many other commercial fishes: 40.4% of European sharks, rays and chimaeras face an elevated risk of extinction.

This July, Project AWARE is looking for Finathon™ Champions to join the race to protect sharks. Amongst the many divers and dive centres who have responded to our call to raise awareness and challenge funds to support shark conservation so far, Lucas Schmitz is definitely going the extra mile.

From July 06th, Lucas will embark on a Cycling Trip across Europe to make it loud and clear that we need to put an end to the unsustainable killing of sharks before it's too late.

The agreement, the first of its kind to address the global conservation of sharks, was signed by Richard Benyon on behalf of the UK and a number of its Overseas Territories including the Falklands and South Georgia. Adopted under the Convention of Migratory Species it will help develop management measures to protect threatened species such as basking, longfin mako and whale sharks.

Many of these sharks are not only found in UK waters, but in the waters of British Overseas Territories making UK involvement crucial in ensuring these animals get the protection they need.